Freya Josephine Hollick hails from Victoria and will be releasing her new LP The Unceremonious Junking Of Me, this October on Heart Of The Rat Records. It follows her 2014 album Beauty & Sorrow. My Sleepin’ Body the first taste of the album, showcasing her rich and ornate folk voice, in a clip that recalls the age of silent and … Continue reading
Category Archives: Americana
ALBUM REVIEW: Jemma Nicole – My Darkest Hour
Australia has always excelled at producing dark and gothic-influenced music. Nick Cave is the obvious progenitor but many others have explored the darker corners of sin and salvation and Melbournian Jemma Nicole has done just that with her debut collection of folk and country noir songs. There’s a stately waltz and sway to many of … Continue reading
Henry Wagons, Leah Senior, Daphne Rawlings Band @ Newtown Social Club (13/05/16)
In the absence of active duty from Sydney band Little Bastard, the various members have pursued solo projects (they kind of already did anyway) and relatively new group The Daphne Rawling Band, led by Ross Tipper features a few members of the rag-tag LB collective, as well as a couple of Cruisin’ Deuces. The punk-ish … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Skyscraper Stan
Stan Woodhouse is currently out on the road playing a comprehensive series of solo acoustic dates (see below) around Australia to celebrate and promote the release of his new solo live album Live At Some Velvet Morning. The nine track album showcases Stan’s brilliant lyricism, dry humour and ability to hang a well crafted story on perfect … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: William Crighton
THROUGH THE LENS OF WILLIAM CRIGHTON With his debut album drawing widespread accolades, William Crighton takes Chris Familton inside the themes and physical locations that inspired the self-titled collection of songs. 30 kilometres past Yass, in the South West Slopes region of NSW, there’s a sign to Burrinjuck and a road that snakes down the … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Hayes Carll – Lovers And Leavers
On his fifth album, country troubadour Hayes Carll has stripped back his songs to a place of contemplation with slow-burning tales of heartache. It’s a languid and casual affair where the songs drift by, conjuring up late humid nights on the back porch with a bottle for company and a head full of confessional and … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: William Crighton – William Crighton
For the last few years William Crighton has been building a strong buzz around his songs and live performances – both solo and with his band. Finally we see the fruition of his songwriting and recording with this mesmerising debut album. There’s a dark weight to Crighton’s music, both in subject matter and delivery, with … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: The Felice Brothers – Aerosol Ball
The Felice Brothers are one of our favourite alt-country bands with their fusion of all manner of styles–from country to folk, blues to ragtime. The good news is they’re also a prolific group and they’ve just announced that their new LP Life In The Dark is coming out on Yep Roc Records on June 24th. … Continue reading
NEW MUSIC: Skyscraper Stan -A Tune I Might Remember
Skyscraper Stan has turned his hand to songwriting for the screen with this new track that appears in the animated feature film 25 April which revolves around New Zealand’s involvement in the Gallipoli campaign of WWI. Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats play Cherry Bar tonight (April 8th) and tomorrow at The Workers Club in … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: Houndmouth @ Newtown Social Club, Sydney 25/03/16
This was a public holiday with reduced trading hours which meant an early start time for the local support act Le Pie. Backed by a five-piece band, she was one part Kim Gordon, one part 60s girl group. Over a bed of indie rock they showed a fine stylistic range, especially on their set-closer which … Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Chris Altmann – Renaissance Man
South Australian Chris Altmann, now based in Canada, continues to hone his songwriting craft and guitar playing on this, his third solo album. There are dips into traditional West Coast sounding country rock, barroom honky tonk and pastoral folk rock in this varied journey through American roots music. Altmann is entirely convincing and comfortable with … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Houndmouth
Houndmouth’s second LP Little Neon Limelight was released last year and since then they’ve been on the tour circuit playing headline shows, festivals and TV appearances. The success of that album, on the back of their well-received debut From The Hills Below The City, has led them to book the long-haul flights down to Australia and … Continue reading
NEWS: Heartbreaker Sessions Easter Special
Heartbreaker Sessions returns to the bricked walls and sky-high shimmering stage of Freda’s for an Easter Special. Myself and Daz will be on the decks spinning classic and deep-cut country tunes all evening while The Sweet Jelly Rolls and Whiskey Jeff help kick off the long weekend with some fine live music. From 6PM and it’s … Continue reading
SIX STRINGS: Adam Young
Adam Young has been on the Sydney music scene since the 90s heyday of alternative and indie rock, playing with bands such as The Daisygrinders and Big Heavy Stuff. He’s fronted Grand Banks in recent years and now he’s finally released his debut solo album Elementary Carnival Blues that includes the guest vocal talents of … Continue reading
INTERVIEW: Ruby Boots
Ruby Boots And the Balance Of Self-Preservation Amid a run of national dates and ahead of a USA tour, Ruby Boots talks to Chris Familton about writing new material, casts her opinion on the Australian country music scene and looks back at 2015. 2015 was a landmark year for Ruby Boots (Bex Chilcott) with numerous … Continue reading